Posts Tagged ‘yacht’

John Kerry Transports Isabel Across State Line

July 23, 2010

Sen. John Kerry, who has repeatedly voted to raise taxes while in Congress, dodged a whopping six-figure state tax bill on his new multimillion-dollar yacht by mooring her in Newport, R.I.

Isabel – Kerry’s luxe, 76-foot New Zealand-built Friendship sloop with an Edwardian-style, glossy varnished teak interior, two VIP main cabins and a pilothouse fitted with a wet bar and cold wine storage – was designed by Rhode Island boat designer Ted Fontaine.

But instead of berthing the vessel in Nantucket, where the senator summers with the missus, Teresa Heinz, Isabel’s hailing port is listed as “Newport” on her stern.

Cash-strapped Massachusetts still collects a 6.25 percent sales tax and an annual excise tax on yachts. Sources say Isabel sold for something in the neighborhood of $7 million, meaning Kerry saved approximately $437,500 in sales tax and an annual excise tax of about $70,000.

And state Department of Revenue spokesguy Bob Bliss confirmed the senator “is under no obligation to pay the commonwealth sales tax.”

Kerry picks up and transports Isabell across state lines..sleezy… another swiftboat moment

Spokesman:Trip likely over for US teen sailor,AAA On The Way

June 11, 2010

THOUSAND OAKS, California (AP)—A 16-year-old California girl who is awaiting rescue in the Indian Ocean aboard her storm-damaged yacht will likely give up on her dream of sailing solo around the world, a familyspokesman said Friday. 

“This is the end of the dream. There’s no boat to sail,” he said

Sunderland set off a distress beacon when her sailboat became damaged by 30-foot (9-meter) waves.

Her boat’s mast was broken—ruining satellite phone reception—and was dragging with the sail in the ocean, said search coordinator Mick Kinley, acting chief of the Australia Maritime Safety Authority that chartered a commercial jet for the search.

But the keel was intact, the yacht was not taking on water and Sunderland was equipped for the conditions, he said.

“The aircraft (crew) spoke to her. They told her help was on the way and she sounds like she’s in good health,” Kinley told reporters in Canberra.

“She’s going to hang in there until a vessel can get to her.”

AAA said they would be sending a boat and would be there in the standard 45 minutes. State Farm will access the damage. State Farm spokesperson said privately, “she is a female driver so we expect her rates to go up a little.” Unfortunately we see this all the time around prom time.” Family spokesman said that Abby was bad about sailing and texting.. Her dad said the yacht would be parked in the garage for an undisclosed length of time..